What cities and workplaces can learn from each other - DES 2025

This past week, we had the opportunity to attend and sponsor the Digital Enterprise Show (DES) in Málaga, a gathering that has become one of the most relevant spaces for exploring how technology is reshaping the way we live, work, and interact.

The event brought together leaders, innovators, and institutions from all over the world. But what stood out most wasn’t the size. It was the quality and depth of the conversations. There was a shared sense of urgency, but also of optimism: a collective willingness to rethink what’s possible when we align technology, strategy, and purpose.

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At Mormedi, we were proud to be part of the conversation. As sponsors, but also through two talks that reflect the core of what we do, helping organizations and cities design for complexity, with people at the center.

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The Workplace Is No Longer a Place

In one of the sessions, Fabián Blanco, our General Manager, presented Mormedi’s perspective on the future of work. His message was clear: while many companies have taken tactical steps to embrace hybrid models, few have addressed the deeper, structural shifts required.

We shared our framework, one we've applied in projects for clients like BBVA and First Abu Dhabi Bank, based on four interconnected levers:

• Wellbeing and continuous learning
• Empowered, flexible processes
• Employee-centric workspaces
• Technology that enhances experience

These elements, when designed together, form the foundation of a workplace that attracts talent, fosters productivity, and reflects an organization's true values. It is not just about adapting to change. It is about shaping it.

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“Transforming the way we work is not a trend. It’s a strategic decision that affects culture, retention, and business resilience,” Fabián said.

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Rethinking Cities with the Same Logic

In another session, Juliane Trummer, our VP of Strategy, moderated a panel on urban innovation, bringing together public sector leaders and private visionaries to discuss how cities can adapt to today’s complex challenges.

Infrastructure, sustainability, mobility, inclusion. These are often treated as separate issues. But as Juliane pointed out, the real opportunity lies in connecting the dots.

We spoke about how cities, much like organizations, must move from siloed initiatives to integrated ecosystems. And how human-centered design can turn bold urban visions into grounded realities.

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“The cities of tomorrow will be defined by how well they understand and respond to the real needs of their people,” Juliane noted.

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One Common Thread: Ecosystems Over Silos

These two conversations, one about the workplace and one about the city, were different in context but strikingly similar in spirit.

In both cases, we are being challenged to move beyond short-term fixes. To stop thinking in terms of individual solutions and start thinking in systems. To design not for efficiency alone, but for meaning, connection, and long-term value.

What I took from DES2025 is this: technology is only as powerful as the intentions behind it. And whether we are reimagining a corporate HQ or a public space, the question remains the same. Are we building environments that help people thrive?

At Mormedi, we do not have a one-size-fits-all answer. But we have learned how to ask better questions, how to work across disciplines, and how to turn complexity into clarity.

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